Irish Grand National’s decline in overdrive (Sign of the times)

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Irish Grand National’s decline in overdrive (Thursday, Nov 26, 2015) By Tommy Lyons

Mixed emotions watching the final of the Irish Grand National from Harold’s Cross on Tuesday night. On the positive, it was great to see the Pat Kiely-trained Comeout Russell land the spoils for the Golden Spoon Syndicate of Kilworth.

A terrific servant to connections, this success was hardly surprising given he broke the track record at Curraheen Park on his second outing over hurdles. On that occasion he made all to post 28.59, whereas in Tuesday’s final he had to pull out all the stops to get up late for a narrow victory.

The win extended his perfect record over obstacles to four, prompting one well-known racing personality to tweet ‘What’s the difference between Comeout Russell and Faugheen? Russell is unbeaten over hurdles!’

The negative from the night’s action was the obvious signs of deterioration at Harold’s Cross.

Comeout Russell earned connection €1,750 for the neck victory, which isn’t to be sniffed at, particularly for two runs, but it pales in significance to the purse which the stake once offered.
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Given his ability on the level and what he has achieved in limited opportunities over hurdles, I’m sure Comeout Russell would have been a major player in any of the Grand Nationals hosted at Harold’s Cross, since its move there in 2001, but those days are gone.

At one time, it attracted plenty of interest from British runners and was a feature event on the calendar. The fact the final took place on a Tuesday night, and the competition had no apparent sponsor reveals a lot.

As I was writing reports from the track in 2001, Switchtoplanb’s success remains in the memory, possibly as much for the fact he was renamed after having his focus switched to hurdling. For his victory, Shem O’Donnell’s dog earned IR£5,000 punts.

Bestofthebunch took hold of the trophy 12 months later, earning €6,000. Then, under the banner of Baggot Racing, the 2003 renewal, won by Frightened Pig, earned the champion €10,000.

It was even better for Joe Bananas a year on, €12,500 going in his connections’ direction. He was a real class act, who dipped one spot under the 29 seconds barrier on Derby final night at Shelbourne Park earlier that same year. It was back to €10,000 when Taipan won in 2006 and Comans Joe in 2007, but up to €12,000 for each of Distant Legend’s successes in 2008 and 2009. A year later the decline began, with Junior Mac receiving €6,500, and Olivers Twist in 2011 earning just €3,500.

It was the same last year for Razldazlnewstalk, but this year it was just half of that.

From the outside there seems to have been no concerted effort to retain the status of the stake, but, sadly, that may be a reflection of an acceptance that Harold’s Cross, as a greyhound track, is on the green mile.

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Tuesday night’s final of the Betfred Eclipse at Nottingham quickly developed into a two-dog affair, from which 20-1 outsider Pinpoint Boom ran out a surprising-but-deserved winner, from Crossfield Cesar.

The winner has had just three in Ireland, all at Curraheen, prior to being sold. Then trained by Con Guiney and running under the name Castlemagner, he dived straight in at the deep end, making his debut in the prestigious Cork GOBA Past Presidents’ A3 Stake. Narrowly beaten in the first round, he won his semi-final heat in 28.38 and followed up with a 28.23 victory in the final.

A July ’13 whelp by Shaneboy Lee out of Newmarket Way, he’s related to numerous smart performers, most of which will be familiar to regular racegoers in the south.

Little wonder he has tremendous ability as he dam is from the same litter as former Tyrur Ted Champion Bitch (Galway) winner Handy Princess and John J Casey winner Line Of Fire.

Tuesday’s runner-up, Crossfield Cesar, was bred by Brendan O’Shea, Millstreet. The September ’13 whelp broke 29 seconds in a Clonmel trial back in January, but never raced in this country.

The talent is evident in his litter, as his brother, Crossfield Max, won a heat of the Juvenile Derby in 28.54.

Both look fine prospects for next year.